Dangerous Foods For Pets - Keep Your Pets Safe on Thanksgiving!

At Thanksgiving, it is very tempting to want to “treat” our pets to something special such as gravy, turkey drippings and table food. These high fat foods can cause diarrhea, vomiting and overload the pet’s digestive system. Many small pets, especially, can be adversely affected from what might seem, is a tiny piece of Thanksgiving dinner.

It is quite common for emergency animal clinics to be filled with dogs and cats suffering from a severe bout of pancreatitis during the holidays. Giving pets table scraps such as fat from meat, cooked bones, turkey drippings and gravy, even in small amounts, can make them sick. Pet owners and doting relatives who overindulge the pet in holiday food are not only causing a change in the pet’s diet (which can make them sick on its own) but combining that with high fat foods can lead to serious, sometimes even fatal consequences.

If you really want to give your pet an extra snack, then please plan ahead. Keep safe treats such as your pet’s favorite treat available or consider having fresh vegetables (steamed or raw), a piece of baked yam or a small piece of LEAN meat set aside. Show family members the "safe" treats for your pet and have an appropriate amount clearly displayed in a special dish. Once the treats run out, be sure the "treating" stops.
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Dangerous Foods For Pets

The following foods can be dangerous to pets:

* Chocolate

* Grapes or raisins

* Onions (cooked or raw)

* Sweets (cookies, cake, ice cream, etc.)

* Rolls/bread (many pets are allergic to gluten)

* High fat foods such as butter, gravy or drippings

* Cooked bones (they can cause choking and tearing in the GI tract)

What's In Pet Food? Ingredients That Should Not Be Included In Pet Food

Recently I spoke at the Pet Food Industry Advisory Committee Meeting at the Palms in Las Vegas. Many of the leading pet food industry manufacturers were present. I spoke about the ingredients that should be included and NOT included in pet food. Specifically requested that corn, byproducts, wheat, gluten and chemicals such as ethoxyquin be eliminated from pet food. Explained to them about how these ingredients are not natural foods that pets should eat and how they contribute to health problems in pets.

At Ask Ariel.com, we focus on holistic pet care and pet nutrition. Pet nutritionists play a crucial role in guiding pet owners on proper dietary choices to address various health issues in animals. Our goal is to  provide specialized nutritional advice, supplements, and holistic approaches to support the overall well-being of pets.  Our website has a complete library of articles about how you can use holistic pet care to improve the health of your pets.  What you feed your pets is very important and greatly affect their overall well being.  

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Cat is Vomiting and Has IBD

Q: I have a 15 yr old kitty who has always been a barfer, believe me tests and money spent--nothing except maybe she had hairballs and she has had enemas when she gets constipated which is also something from time to time she has had even as a kitten. We did bloodwork, no prob; ultrasound showed IBD or IBS---she has lost weight, a lot for her size, vomits most of her wet food several times a week. likes dry food---i just now got her to eat only wet w/pumpkin, probiotics, flax, etc...and a small course of pred to help the inflammation. Everything fine for a couple days now she just barfed her prednisone and her food. She is a real pain to subQ; the older cat gets fluids 2x a week, he is easy but she hates it! i havent attempted since she bit me so hard i lost feeling in one of my joints. She is ordinarily a sweet cat but seems cranky and unhappy. I am adding glutamine to her diet and i think the wet is going to be ok w.fiber, etc...but she now threw up. it has been 4-5 days i thought we had it taken care of. she also leaves hard little pellets outside the box. can i give her Colace? I also give her lactulose which she doesnt like but i think helps--but even i can tell she needs hydration. thanks--

A: So sorry your kitty has been so uncomfortable. Chronic vomiting is usually due to food allergies. The most common food allergies in cats are poultry, grains and sometimes fish. Try using a grain-free diet with novel protein such as rabbit. That should definitely reduce the vomiting and IBD symptoms. Definitely use the Power Probiotic to help your cat's IBD, digestive problems and kidney concerns. The Power Probiotic is a multi-strain formula that helps to repopulate the bowel with good flora. This good bacteria helps to reduce inflammation in the bowel which will help your cat digest her food better and also help to promote normal bowel movements. It is very easy to administer--tasteless and is just a powder that is put in the food.

What To Feed Chihuaha That is Allergic to Wheat?

Q How can I improve my 4lb, 14 month old, Chihuahua's life if she is allergic to wheat? I give her wheat free food & treats but her fur is still dry and falls out a lot! Also, how do feel about giving my Chi's "meaty bones" to help fight against tartar? Are the dogs to small for these bones?

 A: Many pets and people are allergic to wheat and grains. In general, I do not recommend giving pets any grains because they can trigger allergies and a lot of health problems. It sounds as though your dog could benefit tremendously from Omega 3 fatty acids. Since your chihuaha is very sensitive, you need to be especially careful about using fish oil. This is because there are a lot of contaminants in most fish oils which can cause even more problems. Try the Amazing Omegas as the oil will quickly help your dogs coat and reduce shedding. Also, using a multi-strain powerful probiotic such as Power Probiotic will help your chihuaha's overall allergies and teeth. Usually pets accumulate tartar when htey are not digesting their food properly. Using a raw frozen diet that contains ground-up bone is a safer choice for such a small dog.

Halloween Safety Tips For Pets

Please follow these important precautions to ensure that you and your your pets have a safe and happy holiday!

1) Keep candy (chocolate is toxic) away from pesky paws! Many of our pets display amazing dexterity to reach those delicious sweet treats. Gum and diet candies are also toxic if they contain Xylitol. Xylitol can have fast, fatal consequences because it can cause a precipitous drop in blood sugar (acute hypoglycemia) and/or liver failure. It is easy to leave a pack of gum sitting out on the counter or on the car seat. Doublecheck before bedtime to make sure that the candy and gum has been stored in a secure cabinet in all rooms!

2) Watch out for Jack O'Lanterns and burning candles. Pets can easily knock them over, starting a fire. Electrical cords can be fun for a puppy to chew on. Be extra vigilant about keeping an eye out for your pet's location and activities.

3) Keep all cats (particularly black cats) and shy, nervous dogs safely inside a room away from the noise. Doorbells and excited trick-or-treaters can be very scary to them.

4) If your dog is happy greeting guests (and may even like to dress up!), then be sure to hold your dog firmly on a leash when you open the door. Masks and costumes can be very confusing to pets. Even a very calm dog might snap if a scary figure in a dark costume rapidly approaches them and the dog feels threatened.

5) Be sure all pets are fed and walked before trick-or-treaters arrive.

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Labratory Tests (Blood and Urine) Are Essential to Pet Health

Have you brought your pet into the veterinarian for an annual check-up? Plan ahead before the holiday rush and bring your pet in for annual blood and laboratory tests as well as a complete health and dental exam. A visit to the vet is not just for vaccinations. Also, be sure to request a fecal exam too. Many pets can have worms, parasites and giardia without symptoms. These are highly contagious to other pets.

Before the holidays come upon us, be sure to have your pet completely checked out. Disease sets in long before you see the symptoms. For example, kidney disease doesn't even show up as abnormal on your pet's blood test (values are Creatitine, BUN and phosphorous) until your pet has lost 75% kidney function. Discovering problems at their initial stages is the key to keeping your pets happy and healthy. Be proactive about your pet's good health. Early detection of common health problems such as elevated liver enzymes, kidney disease, and diabetes will help ensure you will have lots of extra time to spend with your beloved pet.

Warning Signs: When To Take Your Cat or Dog To the Veterinarian

Dr. David Gordon, Holistic Veterinarian
VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital
Lake Forest, CA





Many times a phone call to the veterinarian is all that is needed. However, these warning signs warrant an immediate visit. If your cat or dog shows any of the following, please take your pet to the veterinarian right away.

· Any eye trauma

· Blood in urine or stool

· Vomiting or diarrhea--more than 1 instance

· Pet is lethargic, listless

· Insect bites (a small bite can cause a severe reaction)

· Limping

· Swollen stomach

· Punctures and abrasions (fur can hide a much deeper wound)

· Snake bites

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